Kazmir likely to rejoin Tampa Bay Rays soon; question is who goes

LHP Scott Kazmir is likely to rejoin the Rays rotation this weekend, but a final decision on when, and who will go, won't come for another day or two.

"It's looking good right now to get him back out there,'' manager Joe Maddon said.

Manager Joe Maddon said they will wait to see how Kazmir feels Thursday since he threw a bullpen session Wednesday.

Kazmir said it went well: "Everything felt great, threw all my pitches, I wasn't as sore as I was last outing. So I feel good, I'm ready to go.''

Maddon said it's more a question of deciding how to rearrange the rotation and who to remove. The options are to send LHP David Price or RHP Andy Sonnanstine to the minors, or the move Sonnanstine or RHP Jeff Niemann to the bullpen.

Sonnanstine is starting Thursday, so the Rays might want to see how he pitches before deciding. Niemann is scheduled to start on Saturday and Price on Sunday.

"They all can count, everybody can add it up - you've got five starters and you understand or realize in order to get Kaz out there we've got to do something,'' Maddon said. "But honestly we have not determined who that is going to be or how we are going to do it yet. ... We've had some discussions, we're trying to narrow it down and figure out the best way to do this. There's different variables involved and there's different ways to look at it.''

Maddon said he, executive VP Andrew Friedman and pitching coach Jim Hickey talked about the options and "went back and forth, back and forth" and then tabled it. "It's one of those things that we've just got to keep talking it over, talking it over and when we have to make the final decision we will,'' he said. "It's a tough one.''

Plus, the decision about making room for Kazmir is impacted by the expected return as soon as Monday of RHP Chad Bradford. The Rays can easily make one spot in the bullpen by sending down Winston Abreu. But finding another opening - if they move Niemann or  Sonnanstine to relief - would be more difficult. For example, getting rid of Randy Choate would leave them with only one lefty, J.P. Howell.

Decision delayed on when Scott Kazmir will rejoin Tampa Bay Rays rotation

The Rays will wait to see Scott Kazmir throw a bullpen session Wednesday before deciding whether he will rejoin the rotation later this week or make another minor-league rehab start.

Kazmir said he felt he was ready to go, and both executive VP Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon said the reviews on Kazmir's Monday night rehab start were good, with excellent action on his slider and changeup, and a fastball that was consistently in the 90-93 mph range.

Kazmir says he's ready to go

LHP Scott Kazmir said "everything felt good" in his rehab start Monday at Durham and he is ready to return to the rotation. However Rays officials are going to decide later today probably if he will return or make another minor-league start. Kazmir did say he needs to build his arm strength a bit more. If he is ready to return, the Rays will have to make an interesting decision on how to make room. Andy Sonnanstine and David Price would seem the most likely.

Tampa Bay Rays LHP Scott Kazmir encouraged after rehab start; on to Durham

Update: 9:08 p.m. Tampa Bay Rays LHP Scott Kazmir was encouraged with his rehab start for Class-A Charlotte, the life he had on his fastball and the depth in his changeup and curveball. And he said he physically felt great, endurance wise, after going 4 2/3 innings (65 pitches), giving up just three hits while striking out five.

Kazmir will next pitch Monday in Triple-A Durham, hoping to throw 80-85 pitches, and feels he's close to rejoining the Rays rotation. As much as he's felt better, and more confident with his mechanics, during bullpen sessions and a simulated game, actually pitching in a live game was a big test.

"It’s a huge step," Kazmir said. "You can do it all you want in the bullpen, but once you get live hitters out there, it's a little different story, you get that adrenaline going. It's just completely different out there,you got a little bit more life  to it. You got the adrenaline, so you fly off your mechanics if you're not right."

Kazmir said the drills he's been doing recent have made things more simple in his delivery.

"It feels like I'm going out there and just letting it go, and that's the kind of pitcher I am," he said. "I go out here and throw the ball, I want to hit my spot but I'm a max effort guy.
"The past couple seasons I haven't been that guy.I've been the pitcher that's trying to be completely perfect in my delivery and I just need to go out there and get everything simple."

And Kazmir says he feels like he's getting closer to where he want to be, how he was pitching in 2007, before his mechanics got off track.

"It just feels, at times, effortless," he said. "Like I'm not trying to do anything and the ball just jumps. And that's where I want to be. I want to be out there not worrying about mechanics, just doing what I do and getting hitters out. I feel like I'm not thinking out there anymore about what I'm doing, about what my legs are doing, how my body is. I'm just going out there and throwing strikes."

Kazmir sure did, throwing 44 of his 65 pitches for strikes.

Update: 8:23 p.m. Kazmir's night is over, and he'll have to be pretty happy with how it went.

Kazmir went 4 2/3 scoreless innings (one out from qualifying for a win) for Class- A Charlotte, but was pulled after reaching his 65-pitch limit.

He gave up just three hits, striking out five (and walking just one). Kazmir showed some good command, and it appeared he was able to mix in his changeup and slider pretty well. He tipped his cap to the crowd, which gave him a pretty good ovation.  

We'll get to talk to him in a few minutes, so will let you know how he felt.

Update: 8:07 p.m. Kazmir worked a quick fourth - it was nearly a six-pitch inning, but a throwing error on shortstop Omar Luna prolonged it a bit.

Kazmir got two strikeouts in the inning (the first on three pitches), and when he missed, it was real close.

He now has five strikeouts (one walk) and has thrown 53 pitches. Just two hits.

Update: 7:54 p.m. Kazmir appears to be getting better - and more efficient- as the start goes on. This was his first 1-2-3 inning, where he threw just 11 pitches (eight strikes), clocking 93 mph on a radar gun here..

He picked up another strikeout - he has three - and has thrown 42 pitches over three innings.

Update: 7:38 p.m. Kazmir worked through the second, giving up a single but also getting three groundouts, throwing 13 pitches (nine strikes).

He's getting ahead of hitters, and making them put it in play (just one walk).

And the Stone Crabs scored two early runs, and are up 2-0.

Update: 7:15 p.m. Kazmir gets through his first inning unscathed, giving up a single and a walk, but stranding two runners (thanks to two strikeouts). He got ahead of most of the hitters in the inning. Both strikeouts were swinging, looks like he's got his slider working well.

He threw 18 pitches.

**

Tampa Bay Rays LHP Scott Kazmir is making his first rehab start, with Class A Charlotte against the Lakeland Flying Tigers.

He's expected to throw four innings, or 65-70 pitches, whichever comes first.

We'll keep you posted how he's doing as the game goes along.  Not a ton of fans here, guessing a few  hundred. The Stone Crabs have had their share of Rays on their roster this season, with B.J. Upton here their opening week, and Pat Burrell and Jason Bartlett here for stints this past week.

One of their folks just told me they are, however, 1-6 when a Ray is in their lineup. We'll see if that changes tonight.

Kazmir was placed on the 15-day DL May 22nd with a strained right quadriceps, but he's also been working through some mechanical issues that he's dealt with since last season. Kazmir threw a simulated game Friday at Tropicana Field, with three innings (45 pitches), and performed well.

Providing there's no setbacks in this start, Kazmir will move on to Triple-A Durham for a start Monday and be re-evaluated.

- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Kazmir out of WBC, "disappointed"

UPDATE, 10:59: Here is a statement from USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler on losing Kazmir:

"First we want to thank Scott for his enthusiasm and support of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic.  It is patriotism like his that has us excitied for this year's event.  We also respect the Rays decision and their perspective on this issue.  We understand that they have to do what is best for their organization.  While we are dissapointed to lose Scott from the provisional roster, we must continue to look ahead to our opening game against Canada in Toronto."

- - - - -

Scott Kazmir was "disappointed" to find out Tuesday that he won't be allowed to pitch in the World Baseball Classic as the Rays were successful in their attempt to block him out of health and workload concerns.

"I'm just disappointed,'' Kazmir said. "I was looking forward to it. I wanted to play for my country. It would have been exciting. At the same time, I'm trying to look at it some positives, that I'll be on the field with my teammates getting ready for the season.''

Evecutive VP Andrew Friedman said the Rays' biggest concern was Kazmir having to get ready to pitch early in March, and pitching in a competitive environment for Team USA, rather than on the conservative schedule they have planned.

"It was a very well-deserved invitation,'' Friedman said, "but looking at it as a positive for the organization, it gives him a chance to get ready a little slower and be around his teammates all of spring training, so that's what we're focusing on.''

Kazmir was excited and looking forward to the opportunity, but said he also understood the Rays' actions. "That's their job, and it was available for them to do,'' he said.

Kazmir to start Game 5

With a 3-1 lead over Boston in the best of seven ALCS, the Rays have changed their pitching rotation and will start LHP Scott Kazmir in Game 5 on Thursday rather than James Shields.

Kazmir has pitched well at Fenway in the past, and Shields has not. Plus, the Rays would have the benefit of Friday's off-day if they have to go deep into the bullpen before a potential Game 6. Shields would start that game on Saturday at the Trop, where he has pitched very well.

"Being in the position we’re in, we like the idea of pitching (Kazmir) with the day off to follow and we also like the idea if it gets down to it that Shields pitches at home. And the fact that Kaz has had some success here,'' manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday morning at the team hotel. "It's our best call at this point. I know you could look at it a whole bunch of different ways.''

Maddon did say that if the Rays had lost on Tuesday and the series was 2-2, they would have pitched Shields in Game 5.  "Under those circumstances you have a chance to go back home and you'd be down by one game and you just feel at this particular juncture Shields has been more consistent,'' Maddon said.

Maddon said he, executive VP Andrew Friedman and pitching coach Jim Hickey have been talking about the possibility of the change since before the series started. The final decision was made late after Tuesday's game.

He said they like the way Kazmir has pitched at Fenway (4-4, 3.02), and acknowledged that Shields has struggled (0-3, 10.13).

Marc Topkin, Times Staff Writer

Kazmir's start pushed back to Monday

Update 5:55 p.m. Ace LHP Scott Kazmir will make his first start of the second half of the season on Monday, his outing pushed back two days by the Rays who wanted to err on the side of caution after Kazmir's innning of work in the All-Star game.

Matt Garza will start Saturday, with Edwin Jackson going Sunday.

*In other pre-game news, Rays owner Stu Sternberg - in attendance for this weekend's series - gave a brief, five-minute speech to the Rays before batting practice.

Though he didn't go into detail on his talk, Sternberg said afterward that baseball is a cyclical game - in respect to the recent seven-game losing streak - and that he's been proud of what the club has accomplished so far.

"You look at them one at a time," Sternberg said. "There were a number of games in there that we got beat but we played very well. There were a couple games we had an opportunity to win - and we've been fortunate to be on the other side of alot of those games this year. It's gonna happen. The game flows and ebbs..If we had won two of them, we're 2-5 and it wouldn't be as much of an issue."

Sternberg, who said his visit was planned far in advance, said the club is looking to be "opportunistic" at the trade deadline, but reiterated the Rays won't force any move.

*Closer Troy Percival said he's feeling great, though he'll get checked out by Dr Koco Eaton before tonight's game for further re-evaluation. SS Jason Bartlett is improving as well, but the exact date of his return is still in question.

The Rays, refreshed from the All-Star break, will try to snap their seven-game losing streak tonight against the Jays.

The second-place Rays begin a stretch of six straight games at home, where they are 36-14 this season.

They are likely to throw out their top three pitchers in the three-game set vs the Jays, with James Shields going tonight, Matt Garza Saturday against All-Star Roy Halladay. It will likely be decided this afternoon whether ace Scott Kazmir starts Sunday or Monday, as the club pushed his first outing of the second half back due to his appearance in the All-Star game.

RHP Al Reyes, who's been on the disabled list for over a month, will be activated before today's game and could see his first action since June 9.

With large crowds expected, the Rays have activated the Baseball Shuttle System for Friday and Saturday, picking up fans at Central and Second St S.. Judging by the current rainstorm downtown, it might not be a bad idea...

(Pictured: Scott Kazmir. Photo -- Getty Images. Click to enlarge.)

RAYS

Iwamura, 2b

Crawford, lf

Upton, cf

Pena, 1b

Longoria, 3b

Floyd, dh

Navarro, c

Hinske, rf

Zobrist, ss

JAYS
Inglett, 2b

Scutaro, ss

Rios, cf

Stairs, dh

Barajas, c

Overbay, 1b

Rolen, 3b

Wilkerson, rf

Lind, lf

-- JOE SMITH

joesmith@sptimes.com

Kazmir start delayed

The Rays have decided to push back All-Star Game winner Scott Kazmir's next start until at least Sunday.

Kazmir was to start Saturday, but the Rays decided to give him some extra rest after he worked the 15th inning, and got the win, in Tuesday's All-Star Game, just two days after throwing 104 pitches in Cleveland. RHP Matt Garza will instead start Saturday.

Kazmir said Thursday he felt fine - that he just the normal "good soreness" - and that a final decision would be made after he throws Friday on whether he will start Sunday against Toronto or Monday against Oakland. RHP Edwin Jackson will start whichever game Kazmir does not.

Executive VP Andrew Friedman said the Rays just wanted to be cautious in their handling of Kazmir, who missed the first five weeks of the season with an elbow problem.

Also, the Rays said they will activate RHP Al Reyes, who has been out since June 10 with shoulder tendinitis, for Friday's game. The Rays were encouraged with the progress of RHP Troy Percival and not sure yet about the status of SS Jason Bartlett, but are hoping to get both back soon.

All players reported for Thursday's workout, though All-Stars Kazmir and Evan Longoria were allowed to leave early.

Live from New York; Kazmir may pitch

UPDATE, 6:40: AL manager Terry Francona said he would "try to stay away" from using LHP Scott Kazmir at the request of the Rays, but left open the possibility of using him if the game went extra innings.

Don't count Rays LHP Scott Kazmir out of Tuesday's All-Star Game just yet.

Kazmir said he "felt great" on Monday - despite throwing 104 pitches on Sunday in Cleveland - and planned to meet with AL manager Terry Francona during or after Monday's workout about his status.

"I feel like I'm available,'' Kazmir said. "I'm still supposed to talk to Francona about it and see what we're going to do. We'll talk it over and see what we can come up with.'''

Rays manager Joe Maddon said Sunday the Rays would prefer Kazmir, who is scheduled to start Saturday, not pitch, and that he had talked to Francona about it. A league official said they were aware of the Rays concerns and would take that into consideration.

A hectic day of interviews and itinerary-setting gives way to baseball this afternoon, as the American League All-Stars - including Rays C Dioner Navarro, 3B Evan Longoria and Kazmir - are getting ready for their workout. The NL hits the field after that, and then most everyone will stick around for the home run derby.

Navarro was busy at the mid-day AL media session, answering questions in English and Spanish, and said he was enjoying himself. Kazmir fielded the usual questions about being traded by the Mets. Longoria attracted the biggest crowd of three, and had a doubleheader as he also appeared at a press conference with the seven other home run derby participants.

Navarro, Kazmir are All-Stars

The Rays will have at least two representatives at the All-Star Game.

C Dioner Navarro and LHP Scott Kazmir were both chosen for the American League team in the July 15 game at Yankee Stadium. Rookie 3B Evan Longoria could join them if elected in online voting for the 32nd spot on the roster.

It is the second time in franchise history, and the first since 1999, than more than one Ray was named, fitting since the Rays have the best record in the major leagues.

Navarro, a former Yankees prospect, ranks first in the AL with a 38.1 percent caught stealing percentage and a .998 fielding percentage, and his .318 average is second among AL regulars. He was named to the team by AL/Boston manager Terry Francona.

Kazmir, a former Mets prospect, is 7-3 with a 2.63 ERA since coming off the disabled list in early May, and will pitch Tuesday night against the Yankees in New York. This will be Kazmir's second trip, having represented the Rays in 2006. He was elected in the voting by players, coaches and managers, as he was in 2006.

Longoria is one of five players named to the ballot for the 32nd man, who is chosen by fans in online voting via mlb.com through 5 p.m. Thursday. Also on the ballot are White Sox OF Jermaine Dye, Yankees DH/1B Jason Giambi, Royals OF Jose Guillen, and Orioles 2B Brian Roberts.